The S&C Networking guide by Science for Sport

S&C NETWORKING GUIDE

UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL AND PROPEL YOUR CAREER FORWARDS THROUGH THE POWER OF NETWORKING SCIENCEFORSPORT.COM

#1 HOW THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU As you’ve probably guessed by now, here at Science for Sport we’re big on helping you to propel your career forward and achieve your dream S&C job. This guide is simply another ‘piece to the puzzle’ and another top-class manual detailing a key area of success as a S&C coach; that being networking. We’ll be talking you through important topics such as methods of networking, hacks to make you a better networker, and even a takeaway action plan for you to fill out, ensuring that you leave no room for error when it comes to your ability to build a strong network.

Why is networking important for an S&C coach?

We live in a time where within seconds we can communicate with another individual that is on the other side of the world. Yet, so many coaches within the S&C industry choose to shun off this powerful concept, confining themselves to the few friends and acquaintances they might have within the industry. If this is you, you’re shutting yourself off from the unlimited potential that networking has. Truth is, whilst networking won’t be the ‘golden answer’ to you getting your dream S&C job, it can certainly have a huge impact on your journey there and may surprise you in more ways than one. For example, imagine you are a physio at a low-level football club and you went to an S&C conference being held in your country. There are a handful of well-known names in the industry there conducting various talks and hosting numerous workshops. During the conference, you happen to spot the head physio at a well-recognised football club. Thanks to your networking experience, you have no issue with approaching him, making a great impression on him, and exchanging contact details.

#1 (CONTINUED) You continue to develop a relationship over social media and email for quite some time, showing a genuine interest in each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work, and discussing the latest research in particular fields. When itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eventually time for him to move on from his current position and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s asked to recommend anybody that would suit the job, he puts you at the top of the list. This ultimately puts you one step closer to your dream S&C job, advancing you to a higher profiled football club. It should be clear that the importance of networking should not be taken lightly, and that building a network of like-minded coaches can absolutely propel you forward in your career. We know how cutthroat this industry can be, and by developing your networking skills through this guide you can be sure to set yourself apart from the rest.

Your Networking Planner

In addition to this networking guide, you'll also be receiving your very own networking planner. This planner will allow you to practically apply the topics discussed throughout this guide, allowing you to implement them into your day to day job and help you become a better networker. Be sure to print off your planner so that you're ready to fill it out; there will be a number of action-oriented pointers coming up thoughout the guide!

You can access your planner using this link

#2 NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES In this section, we will be diving into the different ways in which you can network. Some will be face-to-face, others will be through a screen or over the phone. Either way, it’s important that you’re aware of the vast array of networking methods and make the most out of each one!

Workshops Workshops typically last 1, 2, maybe even 3 days depending on the location and person conducting the workshop. They tend to be very hands-on in the sense that participants will be getting involved, working and thinking for themselves. Some workshop examples include: • UKSCA speed and plyometrics workshops • ASCA’s Special Interest gatherings Due to their hands-on nature, they make a great opportunity to network and to get to know individuals that are either hosting the workshop or attending. Don’t be afraid to get involved, displaying a genuine and keen interest in the topic at hand.

Seminars Seminars tend to be much shorter than workshops, lasting anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours. There will be much less ‘interaction’ and they tend to be more lecture driven, with more thinking and writing required by individuals. However, this doesn’t mean that there will be no opportunities to network. Seminars will tend to have a lot more people attending than workshops, usually in the 100’s. This will provide you with a great chance to network with other like-minded S&C coaches within the industry. In your S&C networking planner, you’ll find an event planner at the beginning. Here is a great opportunity for you to write down some up and coming workshops and seminars to attend!

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#2 (CONTINUED) Online Online networking can be an incredibly powerful way of networking, providing it’s done correctly and with genuine intent. Social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and more make networking very accessible for S&C coaches, providing us with a constant flow of new potential contacts in the industry. We’ve put together an entire section on online networking towards the end of the book which will detail exactly how to go about networking on each individual platform.

Former peers from college/university As a qualified S&C coach you will undoubtedly have friends and peers from your studying days. Whether you’re still in contact with them or not, it’s important that you make the most out of having a potentially invaluable network around the country and even the world. The great thing here is that you will already have some level of rapport with them, removing barriers that you could otherwise have to overcome when meeting fresh faces. Get out that old address book or go through your Facebook friends!

S&C Associations Associations provide a brilliant opportunity for you to network with other S&C coaches in the industry, both with more and less experienced individuals than yourself. A great example would be the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), who host conferences/seminars all around the world!

#3 PERSONALITY TRAITS OF GREAT NETWORKERS It’s all well and good understanding the various ways in which you can network, but if you’re meeting these people without displaying personality traits of a good networker, it’s unlikely that you’ll get very far. Working on the following personality traits and doing your best to embed them in your networking techniques will make it much easier for you to build a genuine relationship with people when you make that all important first impression. Remember, they are applicable to both face-to-face encounters and online networking. In addition to this, it’s important to remember to come from a genuine place when implementing these personality traits. Pretending to listen to someone and putting on a fake, positive attitude will only prevent you from making good contacts - it can be very easy to spot.

Enthusiasm Being enthusiastic is key when it comes to networking. If you aren’t enthusiastic about S&C, it’s probably for the best that you switch industry and pursue something else. There is nothing less engaging for someone than trying to converse with an individual who simply lacks enthusiasm and passion about the subject they are discussing, particularly on a first encounter. By becoming a member of Science for Sport and choosing to take your career into your own hands, you clearly have a level of passion and enthusiasm for this industry, so show it. Let others know that you love helping athletes to improve, seeing them progress and minimising their chances of injury! If you display this enthusiasm to others it will naturally allow you to be much more engaging to them, ultimately making you a better networker.

#3 (CONTINUED) Reliability You might be thinking to yourself, ‘how on earth do I display reliability to someone I’ve just met at an S&C conference?’ and whilst this might sound strange/difficult, hear us out. Let’s say you met a fellow S&C coach at an event and exchanged contact details. You agree to have a call about some results you have from an athlete you conducted a test on recently that your new acquaintance has a lot of interest in. You completely forget about the planned call, leaving them waiting on Skype for 15 minutes before they decide to go off and carry on with their day. A few months down the line, you find out that this individual has now moved onto a new job and you think it could be beneficial to catch up with them to talk about the new research facilities at their new place of work. However, they are incredibly busy and struggle to make time for you; you are no longer of concern to them after letting them down. Finding out about the new facilities could’ve been very valuable for you, but you’ll now have to find another way of getting this information. This is a prime example of why you should be a reliable networker.

Good listening skills This trait goes without saying, but that doesn’t necessarily diminish its importance. Ever heard of the quote: “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” - Stephen R. Covey

Whilst we may not realise it, this is a reality most of us experience on a day-to-day basis. We’ve all had that annoying co-worker or peer that simply allows all conversations to go ‘in one ear and out of the other’, refusing to reply with a genuine interest in what you are saying. When it comes to networking, don’t be that person.

#3 (CONTINUED) It can be tough, we all want to talk about ourselves and our accomplishments, but it’s crucial that you avoid being self-centred and truly take an interest in what the other person is saying. Imagine a coach was talking you through their techniques to prevent ACL injuries in their athletes. Like an excited puppy, you completely ignore what they say and rather than probing them with further questions, you simply change the topic and talk about you and your latest accomplishments. Do you think that individual is likely to speak highly of your name to other individuals in the industry? Do you think they would recommend you for a position you might be suited to at their club? Of course not. Good listening skills are more important than you might think when it comes to good networking.

Authenticity The saying ‘Fake it till you make it’ may work for some individuals in some scenarios, but it’s certainly not applicable for networking. • Only pretending to take a genuine interest in another coach’s work won’t get you very far. • Forcing an interaction at a seminar because you feel obliged too won’t help you to progress forward in your career. • Lying about your position at your club to come across as more important won’t end well. Being genuine and authentic is something that a lot of people lack in pretty much every industry, not just S&C. In a world where people backstab to climb corporate ladders and lie through their teeth to progress forward in their career, it’s crucial that you stand firm as an authentic individual. Pretending to take an interest in somebody’s work at a workshop will always shine through, just like many forced interactions. Be genuine and be real with people as it will resonate with them much more and make you a much better networker. After all, if you’re not passionate about all of this stuff, then perhaps you’re not doing what you truly wish to be doing in life.

Exhausted from having no free time? Sick of having no money to spend on your personal development? Frustrated with the lack of opportunity in your network?

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#3 (CONTINUED) Positive Attitude Having a positive attitude is really another personality trait that goes without saying, yet so many underestimate its importance. A lot of people think that displaying a positive attitude is as simple as coming across as a happy individual. Whilst this is true to an extent, displaying a positive attitude can really run much deeper than this and various circumstances will give you an opportunity to showcase this positive attitude. For example, you’re attending a seminar and the speaker is late for the event. A lot of people are annoyed and becoming agitated. This would be an ideal opportunity for you to display a positive attitude, reminding people that the immense amount of value you’re about to gain from the speaker will surely make the wait worth everyone’s while. The possibilities are endless when it comes to showcasing a positive attitude, so get creative with it.

Thank People Thanking people can be a powerful way of building a strong network and improving your networking skills greatly. Being appreciated is very motivating for someone and a little really does go a long way. By thanking someone for their time when you first meet them, or even for sharing their thoughts around a specific topic, you’re making them feel valued and appreciated. This, in turn, will naturally make that individual much more willing to network with you, and they too will value your time and energy given to them.

#4 HACKS TO MAKE YOU A BETTER NETWORKER So we’ve covered the various ways in which you can network, along with the personality traits that a good networker displays when carrying out these methods of networking. Now we’re going to move onto some individual ‘hacks’ that can truly make you stand out from the crowd in this competitive industry.

Study before you network Before going to an event or approaching someone with the intent of networking with them, it would be wise to possibly do some background research on them. Think about it, you want to make a lasting impression on them, and in an industry such as S&C where everybody wants to be heard, it will resonate well with people if they can see that their work is valued by others. Of course, you won’t always know who you’re going to be meeting when networking, but if you have a key person in mind then it would be wise to do some research on them prior to a meeting.

Begin with your existing contacts first This goes back to what we said earlier in the book when we mentioned starting out networking with previous colleagues/students that you have worked or studied with. By starting out with people that you already have some level of rapport with, you will be more confident and it will be an easier process than approaching someone that you’ve never spoken to before. Use these contacts almost as ‘training’, allowing you to practice your networking skills on them so that you are prepared to use them when you meet new people. You could use the ‘your event list’ section of your planner to list some of your existing contacts here too.

#4 (CONTINUED) Prepare with good questions to ask Ensuring that you have a good set of questions to ask people prior to networking with them is a great way to show a genuine interest in what they do, and will keep them engaged in conversation with you. If you have a certain person in mind, then this ties in well with the first hack. However, if you are unsure who you’ll be meeting, feel free to draft up some generic questions to aid you in conversations. Some standard good questions are: • So, how long have you been in the S&C industry? • What made you come to this event? • Where’s your dream destination in your career (e.g. head of performance)? Hopefully, you can see where we are going with these questions. We are simply trying to find out as much as possible about the individual, keeping the questions engaging and about them. To really make a lasting impression, however, you can use what we call ‘peacock questions’ because they really stand out and will leave a lasting impression on that particular individual and keep them thinking for days to come. Some peacock questions include: • If you could’ve had one expert speaker at this event who’s not here, who would it be and what would you like them to talk about? • If you had to leave your job and this industry today, what other careers would you pursue? • Do you think if less developed nations had the same standards of athlete development (e.g. facilities, resources, coaching, etc.) as developed nations, they’d produce more or less high-level athletes? The idea of questions like this is that they get the other person really thinking and that they go away from the conference, for example, with that question stuck in their head for days, weeks, months, or even years to come.

#4 (CONTINUED) Always follow-up after an event ALWAYS follow up after an event/meeting, particularly if you have told that individual that you will (remember we spoke about reliability?). By following up with an individual, you will stay fresh in their mind and stand out from the rest. For example, if someone has a strong online presence in the S&C industry, chances are they get approached by other coaches every day either over private messages or at workshops/seminars. By following up after your initial interaction, you will inevitably be seen as a keen, reliable individual that others will want to network with and build a relationship with. A brilliant way of ensuring that you follow-up with individuals is through using the ‘your event list’ section of your planner. Here you can note down individuals that you have met in an organised fashion, allowing you to physically write down a date you will catch up with them, making you much more likely to adhere to it.

Give without expectation of anything in return Imagine you are a well-known S&C coach in the industry. You have thousands of followers and get a lot of recognition for the work that you do. Another coach contacts you who you’ve spoken to a few times, sharing with you a great article on a recent study that has just been released on GPS wearable technology. You haven’t come across the study yet and actually find it very insightful, and you’re grateful to that coach for highlighting this new piece of research for you. Minutes later you receive another message from them asking you to go onto their podcast. It’s pretty obvious what their agenda was here, and that more than likely the only reason that was shared with you is so that they could guilt trip you into going on their podcast. Don’t be the other coach. Give without expectations of anything in return, be genuine and don’t have hidden agendas. Almost every time people will see straight through it.

Exhausted from having no free time? Sick of having no money to spend on your personal development? Frustrated with the lack of opportunity in your network?

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#4 (CONTINUED) Ask them what they need The easiest way to sabotage your networking ability is to go into every networking opportunity with the mindset of ‘me, me, and me’. If all that you talk about is yourself and you’re consistently trying to get things out of other people for your own benefit, it’s more than likely going to show and people won’t be willing to network with you. Ask people what they need. Asking if ‘there anything I can do to help you?’ can go a very, very long way. Again, a great way that you can really ensure you utilise this hack is through your event list; utilise the ‘3 ways that you can help them’ section!

#5 YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH If you aren’t currently familiar with an elevator pitch, it’s essentially a short summary of your background and experience in S&C. It gets its name of ‘elevator’ pitch due to the fact that you should ideally be able to say it in around 30 seconds, maximum (i.e. usually the length an elevator takes to get to its destination). An elevator pitch is a great way to introduce yourself to someone in a clear and concise manner, without dragging things out and ‘bragging’ too much.

What should an elevator pitch include?

An elevator pitch should include the following topics: -Your name -Your current job title -Where you currently work/study -Your past experience in S&C -What you hope to achieve in the future within S&C -The reason for you attending this workshop/seminar/why you’re on that social media platform

What does a good elevator pitch look like? Hi, I’m Joe Bloggs and I’m currently the Head S&C Coach at Sutton Warriors FC. I’ve been working there for 3 years after graduating from Cardiff University back in 2015. I’m particularly interested in hamstring injury prevention, which is what I want to specialise in as I move forward in the S&C industry. I’m keen to meet like-minded coaches that want to progress in their S&C careers, hence why I’m at this workshop! Remember, when you’re crafting your own elevator pitch, keep it nice and simple. Do your best to keep it clear and concise, falling nicely within that 30-second timeframe (the shorter the better). You can fine-tune your elevator pitch using your networking planner. Remember- practise, practise, practise!

#6 COMMON NETWORKING MISTAKES The following mistakes can be easy to make when you first begin networking and can be detrimental to the progress you are able to make. Whilst they may seem obvious to you, don’t overlook them as many make these mistakes when first starting out.

Dismissing people who don't look important This is probably the #1 mistake that people make when they first begin networking. Overlooking someone’s importance and ‘shunning’ them off can have a bigger impact than you might imagine. Imagine you’re at an event and you meet another coach for the first time. They explain that they have just graduated university and they are looking for a job, hence why they have attended this seminar, to meet potential employers and like-minded coaches. Your ego tells you that you’re automatically better than them due to your 5+ years of job experience and that there is nothing they can do for you, so you do your best to get away from them as quickly as possible and ensure no further contact is made. Little did you know that 3 years later they would actually be working at your dream club and that their outstanding talent and relentless work ethic allowed them to advance leaps and bounds. Had you put your ego aside and established a relationship upon first meeting them, the likelihood of you landing your dream job could be much, much closer

Don't expect to land your dream job instantly As stated at the beginning of the book, whilst networking isn’t the golden answer to you landing your dream job, it can certainly play a huge role in you getting there. Building relationships through networking takes time, and the rewards/benefits of networking can take a long time to eventually show. It’s absolutely vital that you have patience when it comes to networking effectively, and don’t give up. The reality is, meeting somebody once and expecting them to help you get your dream job is Ludacris (no, not the rapper). You need to help them with genuine intent yourself, build a meaningful relationship and truly bring value to other people.

#6 (CONTINUED) Don't be uninformed Being uninformed about the latest research in S&C is a simple way to sabotage any credibility you might have and force yourself to come across as someone that doesn’t really care about the industry. By becoming a member of Science for Sport, you’ve already taken a step in the right direction here, but you need to ensure that you actually take action on reading the Performance Digest. By keeping up-to-date with the latest research, you will be able to keep on top of your game, allowing yourself to come across as much more engaging and approachable when meeting fresh faces through networking. Imagine having a conversation with a ‘big dog’ in the industry, someone you aspire to be, and you’re discussing a topic you’re both very interested about (e.g. velocity based training). Imagine how good it’s going to feel and how impressed the person you aspire to be will be when you inform them of an important new study, fresh-off-the-press, that they hadn’t even seen or heard about yet which had important implications to their coaching and use of velocity based training. Immediately, that person is going to be wowed that you’ve just dropped this knowledge bomb on them and proven how ‘on topic’ and knowledgeable you really are. That’s when you’ll make big impressions!

Exhausted from having no free time? Sick of having no money to spend on your personal development? Frustrated with the lack of opportunity in your network?

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#7 ONLINE NETWORKING GUIDE In a time when more than one billion people are active on facebook, more than a billion are on Instagram, and over 261 million twitter users, one thing becomes clear; this is where people’s attention is. As somebody that is looking to network themselves within the S&C industry and one day achieve their dream job, you really need to ask yourself the following question, if you aren’t already: How can I maximise the use of this attention? Networking online is mandatory if you want to progress forward in your career, and in this section we will be going through each platform and giving you tips for how you can make the most out of their services.

Facebook Facebook is the most popular social media platform in the world. A powerful feature of Facebook which makes it truly unique is the ability to be a part of groups centred around a specific topic (e.g. youth-based S&C). Try sourcing out various groups on Facebook that are centred around S&C using the search bar; you should find a tonne from the results. Request to join them, and don’t be afraid to get involved! Have your say with any ongoing discussions that might be happening within the group or even get a discussion started yourself with a topic you might be unsure of. Be consistent with your participation in the group, and over time you will see a number of connections gradually begin to build within your network.

#7 (CONTINUED) Instagram Closely followed by Facebook is the mighty Instagram. Whilst Instagram doesn’t have a group function like Facebook does, it certainly holds its own unique ways that you can network through it. One great way of doing this is through commenting, liking, and reposting other coaches content that they might be putting out there. By showing a genuine interest in other coaches’ content that they are putting out, you can begin to establish a meaningful relationship with them. You can then progress this relationship forward over direct message (known as a DM), implementing the same strategies previously mentioned in the book. Some of which include being an enthusiastic individual and giving without expectation. The 'your social media list' section of the planner is a great way to ensure these relationships are built effectively over DM.

Twitter Whilst Twitter might be a smaller social network than Facebook and Instagram, that doesn’t necessarily take away its importance. It can be very powerful for networking, particularly due to the ‘open conversation’ way of operating that it runs on. What we mean by this is that it strongly encourages users to engage in conversation that can be seen by the followers of these users. This can be a powerful tool if used properly; by engaging with others openly on Twitter it shows that you are open and willing to network with this individual, and have a meaningful conversation that others can get involved with. For example, imagine a coach you have followed for some time puts up an interesting infographic around cold water immersion. You have a tonne of experience with cold water immersion and openly praise the coach on his work because you are genuinely impressed and take an interest in it. Another coach jumps in on the open conversation and before you know it the three of you have agreed to do a podcast on cold water immersion after some new research has been brought to your attention. This is just one example of the many ways that having conversations on Twitter can help you to establish a solid network.

#7 (CONTINUED) Linkedin Linkedin provides you with a prime opportunity to network with both new and old contacts you might have. Remember, at the beginning when we mentioned networking with past fellow students can be a great way to start networking? Well, Linkedin has tonnes of alumni groups for colleges and universities around the world. Firstly, make sure that your profile is complete, then source out your alumni group and begin networking! Linkedin is also a great place to start with building the foundations of your dream job. Have a dream club in mind? Find them on Linkedin and see if you can source out who works in the sports performance department there. Connect with them! Raising your profile this early in the journey could be an unimaginable return on investment for you in the future.

Building a list So, we’ve given you some useful tips and tricks to network yourself effectively on some of the most popular social media channels. However, in order to maximise your networking skills, it’s a great idea to keep a list of the coaches within your network. Without doing this, you run the risk of losing contact with these coaches, ultimately affecting your immediate network and potentially sabotaging the possibility of working with them in the future. Utilise the ‘your social media list’ part of your planner. Just like the list for contacts you’ve made at physical events, it’s fairly straightforward. When it comes to 3 ways that you can help them, get creative and think outside the box. For example, you know they’re interested in cold water immersion, so which latest study can you send them that might be relevant for their field? If there was a particular study on cold water immersion from the Performance Digest you remember and think they’d really like, then send it to them. Or, is there an infographic that you have come across that could be useful for them? Get creative!

#8 A FINAL WORD That concludes the Ultimate S&C networking guide! Our hope is that these pages have educated you on how to become a better networker in the S&C industry, and really highlighted to you the importance of networking in order to propel you forward and achieve your dream job. Take action using the networking planner thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s included with this guide, and use it to build yourself a strong, valuable network. Good luck!

Exhausted from having no free time? Sick of having no money to spend on your personal development? Frustrated with the lack of opportunity in your network?

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR CAREER